Honours degree or not?

Honours degree or not?

The requirements for Honours differ by major, for official information please refer to the UBC Academic Calendar (http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/Vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404).

What is an Honours (MICB) degree? 

Essentially it is a way for the university to acknowledge your focus in your specialization and relatively good academic standing during your degree. The blue requirements are the same across Science Faculty, but the exact requirements vary slightly per department. 

• Take at least 30 credits each year except for your last year and/or if you are on co-op
• Maintain a minimum 68% overall average every year
• Requires 132 credits to graduate compared to the 120 credits for Majors
• Take additional courses required for Honours (for MICB, this includes additional MICB courses of your choice including one seminar + MICB 430 + MICB 449)
• Complete a graduating Honours thesis (MICB 449). See http://microinquiry.blogspot.ca/2016/04/micb-448449.html for details.

For more details about MICB Honours, https://www.microbiology.ubc.ca/undergraduate/specializations/mbimhonours.

What recognition do I get if I do a Major (or Honours), but get really high grades?

When you graduate, if you achieve 85.0% average of 30 credits (varies on major, but typically a select list of 3rd/ 4th year required courses) and graduate with good standing, your degree will include a "with Distinction" designation. 

What are the benefits / advantages of doing an Honours degree?

• If you are planning on taking primarily courses in your department, you might as well get acknowledged for it.
• The opportunity to do a self-directed research project is a great experience. I highly recommend people to consider doing either a thesis or a directed study for Majors. 
• Some universities only allow those that graduate from Honours programs do direct-entry into a PhD program. However, some universities also allow students to enter a Master's program and transition into a PhD program after one year.

What are the challenges / disadvantages of doing an Honours degree?

• You need to take more courses (which will make your entire degree cost more) and unless you plan it carefully (ie. take more than 30 credits a year) or have AP/IB credits beforehand, it might take you more than 4 years of course work. 
• You MUST take a full course load every year except your last year. 30 credits per academic session (September - April) while is do-able, it is something to consider.
• Less flexibility when choosing courses since there are more required courses. If you are considering a minor, this will make it more difficult so plan very carefully.